Gear Review

May 9, 2017

Backcountry Access released the BC Link Radio in 2014, and it’s grown tremendously in popularity since. Communication is one of, if not the, most important aspect of successful days in the backcountry and the BC Link Radio is a very effective tool in aiding group conversation.

Your pack houses the two-way radio base unit, while the microphone clips onto your shoulder strap. BC Link two-way radio arecompatible with all backcountry packs, but work particularly well with the BCA Stash Packs. The base unit utilizes a rechargeable lithium ion battery, is waterproof and compatible with all standard FRS/GMRS radios. The microphone unit features glove-friendly controls including a push-to-talk button, power switch, volume control and channel selection.

The 17/18 season Camo Style BC Link Radios will be available late summer 2017.

#unepicadventures: On a recent overnight trip in the Colorado backcountry—specifically the Holy Cross Wilderness—I found the BC Link to be particularly useful. A spring storm was hovering above us as we traversed a mountainside in an attempt to find a route to our final objective. Visibility was low, but our team of four was able to communicate back and forth, relaying to each other information about whether certain routes into the East Cross Creek drainage were safe and skiable. Ultimately, we were forced to turn around on that trip, but the BC Links were vital in helping our team come to the safe conclusion to high-tail it home.

The North Ridge looks deceivingly close from here, but in reality it’s still a long ways away. Hiking into Holy Cross requires mandatory 700′ drop into East Cross Creek for first turns of a tour. Then it is back to skinning below treeline. Photo: ExploretheRockies.com.

Looking across to the bushwhack route of East Cross Creek, up toward the Bowl of Tears in the Holy Cross Wilderness. Photo: 14ers.com.